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BEFORE YOU WATCH: Origins of the Industrial Revolution

Use the “Three Close Reads” approach as you watch the video below (next in the lineup!). If you want to learn more about this strategy, click here.

First read: preview and skimming for gist

Before you watch, you should skim the transcript first. The skim should be very quick and give you the gist (general idea) of what the video is about. You should be looking at the title, thumbnails, pictures, and first few seconds of the video for the gist.

Second read: key ideas and understanding content

Now that you’ve skimmed the video transcript and taken a quick peek at the video, you should preview the questions you will be answering. These questions will help you get a better understanding of the concepts and arguments that are presented in the video. Keep in mind that when you watch the video, it is a good idea to write down any vocab you read or hear that is unfamiliar to you.
By the end of the second close read, you should be able to answer the following questions:
  1. How did coal and other environmental factors help Britain industrialize first?
  2. How did coal mining change over the course of the Industrial Revolution?
  3. How did England’s pre-industrial wool industry help it industrialize?
  4. How did Britain’s financial system help launch new industrial ventures?
  5. How might high wages in Britain have contributed to industrialization there?
  6. According to the video, what global factors may have contributed to Britain’s industrialization?

Third read: evaluating and corroborating

Finally, here are some questions that will help you focus on why this video matters and how it connects to other content you’ve studied.
At the end of the third read, you should be able to respond to these questions:
  1. This video provides a look at some of the possible causes of Britain’s early industrialization. Which factor do you think was the most important? Why?
  2. Using evidence from this video, provide one impact of industrialization on networks, communities, and production and distribution in Britain.
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to watch! Remember to return to these questions once you’ve finished watching.

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